Source: World Wide Web
In order to stir up the bilateral security cooperation framework agreement initialed by China and the Solomon Islands, during the general election, Australia's Minister of International Development and Pacific Affairs Zeide Sasaga set off for Honiara, the capital of the country, on the 12th. On the same day, Australian media such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and The Australian newspaper "unanimously" reported a message claiming that the "leaked documents" showed that China was trying to deploy security personnel and weapons to protect the security of the embassy. In response to the news of the Australian media, the Prime Minister's Office quickly issued a statement condemning the black hands behind the scenes, accusing them of "desperately creating instability for their own interests."
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) quoted the so-called "leaked documents" on the 12th as saying that after the riots in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, last year, the Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands tried to import a batch of firearms, but failed. The report claims that the documents also show that the Chinese side also asked for a 10-person security team to be allowed to enter the capital to protect the safety of local Chinese diplomats and embassies.
In November last year, there was a serious social unrest in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, and Chinese shops in Chinatown and other places were smashed and burned by rioters. The British "Guardian" mentioned the scene at that time on the 12th, saying that Chinese businessmen became targets in the riots, and many buildings in Chinatown were burned. In an internal memorandum from the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs that was leaked, the diplomatic official wrote: "During this period, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is unable to guarantee the safety of the embassy and its staff. As host country, we have an obligation to protect all embassies, including the Chinese embassy, and in this regard, we do not oppose the request. ”
The ABC said the memorandum appeared to indicate that the government was initially open to the demands. But government sources told the ABC the proposal was later rejected by Prime Minister Sogavare's cabinet, but they did not provide details. The Solomon Islands government may be hesitant because it does not normally allow foreign embassies and senior missions to deploy their own armed personnel for security protection, the report said.
The Australian claimed it also had access to the "leak document" and added to the rhetoric that China was negotiating a new security deal when it made the request, which Australian officials feared could lead to the establishment of a Chinese base in the Solomon Islands. In response to the relevant remarks, the Foreign Ministry spokesman has responded that the starting point of security cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands is to safeguard the safety of people's lives and property and does not have any military color.
For the "disclosure" of foreign media with ulterior motives, the government quickly responded on the 12th. "(Solomon Islands) government issued a warning about fake news," the Solomon Star reported on the 12th, after the leak of documents, the government warned the public to be wary of fake news or distorted comments on social media forums. The government has called on commentators on social media not to be swayed by the leaked documents, as the relevant government agencies will issue a statement clarifying that "there is nothing to worry about."
As for the source of the so-called "leaked documents," the ABC states that the documents were issued by an organization called Transparency for Public Officials, which claims its members are made up of Solomon Islands officials who oppose the security agreement. The group also warned in a statement that there could be more leaks. However, the ABC also mentioned that it was not possible to independently verify the identity of members of the organization.
The Solomon Star said it was expected that those who desperately created instability for their own benefit would create more fear, lies and propaganda. The ABC mentioned that the Prime Minister's Office issued a statement later on the 12th condemning those behind the scenes, saying that they were "bent on creating instability for their own interests." The Solomon Islands Police Force will also issue a statement at a later date.